Saltwater is king here in Florida and if you want to take full advantage of fishing on these great waters, you will have to have the right type of boat for the job. Saltwater fishing boats for sale in Florida are among the most popular boats for this area and to get the right type of boat for your needs, buyers should consider a few things about the saltwater design. Here are what buyers need to know before purchasing their next saltwater vessel.
Materials Used
Saltwater fishing boat materials must be able to stand up to the corrosiveness of the ocean, especially if the boat is to be dry docked or seasonally used (as this can expedite the erosion). An aluminum boat can quickly corrode. Therefore, stainless steel is the standard boat material for saltwater fishing boat fabrication. Ensure that your boat is comprised of 316-grade stainless steel or other durable hull construction material.
Fuel Capacity
When choosing a saltwater fishing boat, one of the most important features is the fuel capacity, which is subsequently dependent upon the outboard motor configuration. A good rule to ensure you always have fuel for reaching that all-important fishing spot is the 1/3 rule. This means that you use up 1/3 of your fuel on the trip out, 1/3 on the trip back, and have 1/3 on reserve. The purchasing a saltwater fishing boat for sale, check the outboard’s fuel capacity as well as the consumption rate. The gallons do play a part, but the miles per gallon when cruising or trolling is arguably more vital.
Storage
A cluttered deck is a dangerous hazard and having enough storage is essential to ensure that the trip is successful. Fish boxes, bait storage, gear storage, and even a place for cold snacks and drinks will be a key ingredient when heading out for a day or weekend of fishing. Since the vessel is oriented to angler activities, under gunwale rod storage, under deck fish storage, as well as tackle boxes should be considered. Most saltwater options come with many of these features standard.
Hardtop
Saltwater fishing is quite different than fishing close to the shore. While inshore, it is easy to find some form of shade protection from the sun. The open seas are not so forgiving. Therefore, you will need some form of shade onboard the vessel. This can be in the form of a hardtop or even a canvas. The hardtop will likely last for the life of your boat when properly maintained, but a canvas top will have to be replaced after a few years of use. T-Tops and hardtops also allow for fishing towers, giving the owner an extra vantage point when seeking out the next big catch.
Popular Saltwater Fishing Brands
Saltwater fishing boats for sale in Florida come in a range of sizes. Costs for these vessels can range greatly depending upon the features for the boat along with the engine configuration. Saltwater fishing boats can range from an LOA of 15’ up to vessels of 60’, such as the new vessel to be released by HydraSport. When considering your Saltwater fishing boat, compare the features and functionality of these popular manufacturers:
- Boston Whaler
- Chris Craft
- Cigarette
- Cobia
- Concept
- Contender
- Everglades
- Grady White
- Glacier Bay
- Hydra Sports
- Intrepid
- Jupiter
- Mako
- Midnight Express
- World Cat
- SeaHunter
- Scout
- Striper
- Wellcraft
These and other saltwater fishing boat brands can be purchased new, but more value can often be found when purchasing pre-owned. Aftermarket features can always be added to the boat to make it the perfect fishing vessel for your needs. Yet, many pre-owned fishing boats already have packaging and add-ons. Some even have transferable stern to bow or engine warranties.
Looking for Saltwater Fishing Boats for Sale
The boating market is alive and well here in Florida and no other boats can stand up to the rigors of this area quite like a well-made saltwater fishing boat. If you are looking for saltwater fishing boats for sale, there is no need to seek out the help of a dealer or the average third party site. Vessel Vendor has proven to be the best option for buyers looking to get the most value from their purchase.
Unlike other online classified sites that have a limited inventory to choose from, we maintain an always rotating inventory of available boats for sale, so our customers have more choices. Our enthusiastic listers are always providing us with a variety of vessel styles because at Vessel Vendor, sellers enjoy an easy to use platform for posting their boats for sale as well as the cheapest seller fees of any other site.
Here at Vessel Vendor, we are not only focused on buying and selling, but have a keen interest in providing our users with educational tools to enhance their knowledge of the vessels on our site. Our boat reviews, location pages, maintenance tips are just a few of these tools. Always make Vessel Vendor your first stop and happy boating.